Starting a new job: 4 ways to keep the slate clean

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Starting a new job: 4 ways to keep the slate clean

February 4, 2013

A new job is both exhilarating and scary. It’s a chance to start over—a clean slate with a brand new group of people. And who doesn’t need a clean slate once in a while?

I’ve been in the workforce for a few years now, holding several different jobs, sometimes as many as three at a time to pay my way through school. If I’ve learned one thing about the working world, it’s how important those first few days on the job are. Since your new employer clearly saw reason to hire you, your first week is your opportunity to prove to your boss that their decision was the right one. Of course, we also want to keep that slate as clean as possible, right?

With that in mind, let’s work to make sure that your first week on the job is one you will remember (for all the right reasons):

1. Learn names.

Not only is this respectful, but it is also a crucial step in fitting into company culture. Show interest in getting to know your colleagues, their roles in relation to your job, and how they fit into the company as a whole. If you struggle with small talk, focus on spending time asking your colleagues questions. People generally love talking about their own accomplishments and successes. They’ll spend more time talking, and you’ll look like a great listener. This leads me to my next point:

2. Find a mentor.

While you’re learning all those names and hearing those stories, try to find a person who could mentor you through the first few weeks or months on the job. A mentor, while not to be abused, is more or less a sounding board for any questions you have, someone who can help guide you through unfamiliar processes and introduce you to the key players. A great mentor can make the transition into a new job easier and more seamless.

3. Be a sponge.

The first few days are your opportunity to soak up as much knowledge as possible. Take advantage of the relaxed workload the first week tends to come with and learn everything there is to know about your position, the company, the strategic plans, or the corporate objectives. What are the must-know acronyms or priorities? Throw them in your brain’s rolodex and you won’t regret it.

4. Be responsible/professional.

Your first week is not the time to show up late, request a day off, or leave early. Honestly, I’d even recommend staying a bit late just to show eagerness and enthusiasm. Be on time, if not a little bit early, and dress to impress. Don’t litter your desk with inappropriate knick-knacks or questionable material. Photos of loved ones are generally okay. Look around at colleagues who are at your level and see what their desks look like.

Remember, chances are you’ll have several “new jobs” throughout your life. Each job and company culture will be different. You may need to work a little harder to fit in sometimes.

Oh, and congrats on the new job by the way. Do you have any advice to share?

Rob

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